Because construction activity has fallen significantly, fewer World War II bombs are being discovered in North Rhine-Westphalia. In the first nine months of 2023, 143 World War II bombs weighing at least 50 kilograms were defused across the country, as the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of the Interior announced at the request of the German Press Agency. That is almost a quarter less than in the same period last year, when 186 World War II bombs were cleared in North Rhine-Westphalia.
“This is essentially the result of the stagnating economy in the construction sector,” said a spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry. According to statements from the explosive ordnance disposal services on site, in some cases entire construction plans were not carried out or continued.
Eight World War II bombs had to be blown up at the site by the 2023 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service by the end of September due to their condition. In the first nine months of last year there were 18 unexploded bombs, more than twice as many that were blown up on site.
In 2019, 307 World War II bombs weighing at least 50 kilograms were defused in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a result of the corona pandemic, bomb disposals fell to 197 cases in 2020. According to earlier information, the authorities had temporarily restricted the active search for the unexploded bombs. Because if they were found, many houses might have had to be evacuated and people would have had to be accommodated in gyms, for example. This should be avoided because of Corona.
In 2021, when the number of bomb defusals rose again to 278, some construction projects were also suspended in view of Corona in order to avoid large evacuations around hospitals or retirement homes. In 2022 there were 239 bomb defusals in North Rhine-Westphalia. According to previous information, both the Corona crisis and the slowdown in the construction industry played a role in the decline.
If objects similar to ammunition are found, special caution is required, emphasizes the Ministry of the Interior on its overview page for explosive ordnance disposal on the Internet. The regulatory authorities, fire brigade or police must be informed immediately. Items found should be left at the location. Touching or even examining suspicious objects could have life-threatening consequences.
Overview with precautions
